Abdul-Jabbar, Perino and Anderson Cooper are three of the 15 celebrities who will be playing -- among them lots of wonks, pundits and journalists, as well as a surgeon, a comedian and the NBA's all-time top scorer. The episodes will air May 14-18.

The celebrity players' favorite charities will receive their winnings, and some local groups stand to benefit. CNN's Lizzie O'Leary is playing for 826dc, which teaches writing to D.C. students. Kelly O'Donnell from NBC News is playing for Virginia's Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation.

Check out the slideshow below to see who's ready to show their smarts on Jeopardy's "Power Players Week" episodes:

2012 Jeopardy Power Players

2012 Jeopardy Power Players

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Anderson Cooper, Host Of CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360°"

TV personality Anderson Cooper arrives at the 2012 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Graydon Carter at Sunset Tower on February 26, 2012, in West Hollywood, California.